Photographic apparatus including means for treating exposed photosensitive sheet material



2,834,269 NG MEANS FOR TREATING SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet l E. H.LAND ARATUS INCLUDI HOTOSENSITIVE May 13, 1958 Flled Oct :5 1955PHOTOGRAPHIC APP EXPOSED P ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSEDPHOTOSENSITIVE. SHEET MATERIAL Filed Oct. 3, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 206I94 2|0 I92 206 y I8? 2 I I82 I86 '7 A I98 I88 I94 I90 B I92 20s I 2oI74 I If I90 I f 9 186 so 1; I88 l/ I82 92 I6 I J96 3a {I59 I 5 FIG. 2E/ ,4

40 Us j .20 I22 42 I44 I54 lazy 5 I70 I40-/ I72 loo I62 \ISO I48 I68 IENTOR MAE/W BY M ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND PHOTOGRAPHICAPPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSED PHOTOSENSITIVE SHEETMATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 3, 1955 FIG. 4

ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSEDPHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 3, 1955 FIG.

FIG.

ATTORNEYS May 13, 1958 E. H. LAND 2,834,269

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDING MEANS FOR TREATING EXPOSEDPHOTOSENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5, 1955INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS INCLUDINGMEANS FOR TREATiNG EXPOSED PHOTO- SENSITIVE SHEET MATERIAL Edwin H.Land, Cambridge, Mass, assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application October a, 1955, Serial No.537,982

7 29 Claims. or. 95-43 This invention relates to photographic apparatusand more particularly to a novel camera for exposing and processing aphotosensitive element. F

In general, the present invention is concerned with the provision of asimple and inexpensive camera of the selfdeveloping type for use with afilm unit including a photosensitive element, preferably comprising aphotosensitive layer carried by a support sheet, a second element orsheet superposable with the photosensitive element, and means containingaprocessing liquid. The two sheets, disposed on opposite sides of thephotosensitive layer, are preferably opaque so as to prevent actiniclight from reaching the photosensitive element when the photosensitiveand second elements are superposed. The two elements comprising the filmunit are displaceable from superposition with one another so as topermit exposure of the photosensitive layer when the film unit ispositioned in the camera. While the second element, for example, maymerely aid in the spreading of the processing composition in a uniformlayer on the photosensitive layer, in a preferred form of film unit itserves as an image-receptive element or support for a positive printformed by diffusion transfer reversal.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel camera for sohandling a film unit of this type as to expose the photosensitiveelement of said film unit and for thereafter processing saidphotosensitive element by superposing the second element therewith anddistributing a processing liquid between the outer surfaces of saidelements.

Another object of the invention is to provide a camera permittingexposure of the photosensitive layer of a single film unit, or of eachof a plurality of film units, positioned in the camera and comprisingtwo opaque elements disposed on opposite sides of the photosensitivelayer, and being capable of superposing one of said opaque elements withthe exposed photosensitive layer and distributing a processingcomposition on said photosensitive layer as said film unit is withdrawnfrom the camera.

A further object of the invention is to provide a camera of the abovetype especially adapted to cooperate in a novel manner with one or moreelements of a film unit to provide means for superposing two opaqueelements comprising said film unit and distributing a processingcomposition between said opaque elements.

It has been proposed to construct a camera of the type envisioned by thepresent invention having the advantages of maximum film frame size withminimum overall dimensions by folding the optical path between thetaking lens and the focal surface of said lens. This is achieved,preferably, by providing the camera with one or more reflecting membersfor directing the light'from the lens to the photosensitive layer,positioned for exposure at the focal surface of said lens, along anangular or zigzag path which is substantially equal in length to thefocal length of the lens and may be longer than the overall dimensionsof the camera.

Patented May 13, 1958 Accordingly, it is still another object of theinvention to provide a camera having an angular or zigzag optical pathbetween the lens and the photosensitive element of a film unitpositioned for exposure at tl e focal surface of said lens, said cameraincluding at least one reflecting member positioned obliquely to thefocal surface of said lens for directing light therefrom to saidphotosensitive element, said reflecting member cooperating with otherelements of said camera to provide a chamber for so positioning thesecond element of said film unit as to permit exposure of saidphotosensitive element and superposition of the second element therewithfollowing exposure.

Still further objects of the invention are: to provide a novel camera ofthe above type wherein a plurality of film units of the type describedmay be positioned with the photosensitive layer of each film unit spacedapart from second element of the unit and in position for exposure; toprovide, in a camera of the above type, means cooperating in a novelmanner with portions of each of said film units for substantiallyautomatically controlling the thickness of a layer of processingcomposition distributed between the superposed photosensitive layer andsecond element during withdrawal of each film unit from the camera; andto provide a camera of the above type adapted to cooperate with aplurality of film units positioned in said camera so as to permit thewithdrawal of only one of said film units at a time from said camera.

Other objects of the invention will in part be 0bvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a camera embodying the presentinvention, shown partially in section taken along a plane substantiallymidway between the sides of said camera with a photographic film unitpositioned for exposure within said camera;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a camera embodying anotherform of the invention with a film pack operatively located within thecamera;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a typicalcomponent of photographic film units useful in connection with camerasof the present invention, the thickness of the materials beingexaggerated for purposes of illustration:

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, detailed view showing aplurality of film units during movement of one film unit through aliquid-spreading means;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view, partly in section of the film pack of Fig.2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View, partially in section, of thecamera of Fig. 2 showing in detail the liquid-spreading means of saidcamera;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view, partially in section, of thecamera of Fig. 2 showing in detail means for controlling the withdrawalof film units from said camera;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of another form of film packuseful in the camera of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary sectional view illustrating thestructure and manner of operation of another liquid-spreading means; and

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of one component of the means of Fig. 9.

The camera of the present invention generally includes l 3 a housingmounting a conventional lens, means for positioning the photosensitiveelement of a film unit for exposure at the focal surface of said lensand means for so positioning the second element of the film unit as topermit exposure of the photosensitive element and superposition of thetwo elements with one another following exposure. in order to achieve acamera structure having minimum overall dimensions, the camerapreferably includes at least one reflecting member so positioned in aplane oblique to the focal surface of the camera lens as to direct lighttransmitted by the lens to the photo sensitive element of a film unitpositioned for exposure at the focal surface of said lens. The camerahousing includes a passage for loading either a single film unit or aplurality of fllm units into the camera and means for positioning thephotosensitive and second elements comprising each film unit so that thephotosensitive element can e exposed and thereafter superposed with thesecond element during withdrawal of each film unit from the camera. Thecamera mayinciude means for separating the leading ends of superposedphotosensitive and second elements comprising a film unit duringmovement of the film unit into the camera and means for positioning thephotosensitive element for exposure apart from the second element withwhich it is superposable and at an obtuse angle with respect to thesecond element. The photosensitive and second elements may be joinedtogether at their ends and the camera includes means adjacent thejuncture of the two elements for superposing said elements anddistributing a processing composition therebetween during withdrawal ofthe film unit from the camera.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1 of the drawings wherein there isillustrated one form of a hand-held camera embodying the presentinvention. The camera comprises a housing, generally designated at It},having mounted thereon a lens and shutter assembly 12 of conventionaldesign. The overall structure of housing is dependent on the formationof the particular optical system adapted to be mounted in and enclosedby the housing. The optical system, for example, may comprise, inaddition to the lens of assembly 12, a single reflecting member such asa mirror so positioned obliquely in the path of light from. the lens asto direct the light to a photosensitive element positioned at the focalsurface of the lens located substantially in a plane which is notperpendicular to the lens axis. A more preferred form of optical systemis shown in the drawings and is adapted to provide a more compact camerastructure. This optical system includes two reflecting members 14 and 16providing a zigzag optical path between the lens and its focal surface,the mirrors beingso positioned that light from the lens is directed bymember 14 to member 16 and from there to a photosensitive elementpositioned at the focal surface of the lens.

In the form shown the lens of assembly 12 is located on the forwardupper portion of housing 10 and the focal surface of said lens islocated at the rear of the housing in a plane perpendicular to the lensaxis. Reflecting member 14 is positioned behind the lens with itsreflecting surface substantially in a plane at an angle, preferably 45,with the axis and the focal surface of the lens so as to direct lightfrom the lens downward .and preferably at a right angleto the lens axis.Reflecting member 16 includes a reflecting surface located substantiallyin a plane in position to direct light from member 14 toward the focalsurface of the lens and a photosensitive element positioned for exposureat said focal surface. The reflecting surface of member 16 issufficiently larger than the reflecting surface of member 14 toaccommodate the diverging light beam from the lens and is preferablyparallel to the reflecting surface of member 14. A somewhat more compactcamera con- I struction is illustrated in Fig. 2 and includes a similaroptical system comprising two reflecting members 14 and 16. The lens,however, is located in the forward portion of housing 10 with its axisdisposed in a plane: parallel to its focal surface and member 14 islocatedv with its reflecting surface at an angle, preferably 45",.

with respect to the reflecting surface of member 16 so as to direct abeam from the lens rearward as well as downward toward member 16.

The camera housing 10 comprises an upper wall 18 for mounting reflectingmember 14, two side walls 20, a lower wall 22 extending rearward anddownward from assembly 12, and a rear wall 24.

rear of housing 10 and having a rear guide surface 28 disposedsubstantially in the focal surface of the lens of assembly 12 adjacentand substantially parallel to the inner surface of rear wall 24. Theadjacent surfaces of walls 24 and 26 define a chamber 30 in which thephotosensitive element of a film assemblage is positioned for exposureon guide surface 28 of intermediate wall 26. To permit exposure of aphotosensitive element positioned in chamber 30 against guide surface28, wall 26 includes a rectangular exposure aperture 32 through whichactinic light from the lens may be transmitted to the photosensitiveelement. Loading of a film unit into the camera is effected through apassage 34 provided in the housing between the lower and end portions oflower wall 22 and rear wall 24 at what would otherwise be the junctureof these walls.

Reflecting members 14 and 16 may comprise, for example, conventionalmirrors having plane front reflecting surfaces, member 14 being mountedon upper wall 18 and being of such dimensions as to intercept andreflect substantially the entire beam of taking light transmitted by thecamera lens. Assembly 12 may include suitable means for so vignettingthe lens, and upper wall 18 may be so formed that extraneous lightentering the lens is prevented from being transmitted to aphotosensitive element positioned at the focal surface of the lens. Theinner surface of lower wall 22 is substantially flat and reflectingmember 16 is'positioned adjacent lower wall 22 so as to providetherebetween a chamber 36 in which the second element of a film unit ispositioned during exposure of the photosensitive element of said unit.To define chamber 36, member 16 is secured at its sides in side wall 20,at its upper end adjacent assembly 12 and at its lower end in anenlarged wall section 38 joined with intermediate wall 26 and located inpassage 34. Section 38 is generally triangular in cross section, havinga wedgeshaped apex 40 extending into passage 34 so as to divide thelatter into two passages'leading to chambers 30 and 36.

Film units useful in the camera of the present invention are generallyof the type disclosed in Edwin H. Land, United States Patents Nos.2,495,111, issued January 17, 1950, 2,543,181, issued February 27, 1951,and 2,609,296, issued September 2, 1952, and comprise a photosensitivesheet, a second sheet and means containing a processing liquid. Apreferred form of film unit particularly adapted for use in the cameraof Fig. 1 is described in detail in the copending application of EdwinH. Land et 31., Serial No. 429,185, filed May 12, 1954, and is shown forpurposes of clarity of illustration with the thickness of the materialsgreatly exaggerated. This film unit cornprises a photosensitive element42 including a layer of photosensitive material, preferably an emulsionof silver halide, in Which a latent image may be obtained bydifferential exposure to actinic light, a second sheet or element 44adapted to serve as a support for a visible print of a latent image inthe photosensitive layer, and a collapsible cavity 46 containing aprocessing liquid and hav- As a means for posi-- tioning thephotosensitive element of a film unit for exposure at the focal surfaceof the lens of assembly 12,. there is provided an intermediate wall 26located at the assumes and an alkali. Therfilmunit isprocessed bysuperposing the photosensitive and second elements and distributing theprocessing composition in a thin layer of uniform thickness between thephotosensitive and second elements. in the presence of this layer ofprocessing composition, a latent image in the photosensitive element isreduced to silver and a soluble silver complex, formed with the silverofunreduced silver halide, is transferred by imbibition to the secondorimage-receptive element and there is reduced to silver to produce apositive image. Photographic materials generally useful in the foregoingprocesses are described in detail in the aforesaid Patent No. 2,543,181.

The cavity 46 for the liquid processing reagent is lo cated at one endof the film unit adjacent the area of photosensitive element 42 adaptedto be exposed in the camera and the cavity is generally elongated,extending transversely of elements 42 and 44 substantially from side toside thereof. In order to render cavity 46 substantially airandwater-vapor impervious, there is applied to the inner surface ofelements 42 and 44 a thin film or sheet of a relatively vapor-imperviousmaterial such as a metal foil and there may be coated on the surface ofsaid foil a further layer of a suitable plastic material which can beadhered to itself by the application of heat and/ or pressure and whichis impervious to the processing liquid. The layers of metal foil arerelatively thin and extend continuously from side to side of elements 42and 44 over the portions of said elements adapted to define the walls ofcavity 6. To form cavity 46 the inner faces of the marginal portions ofelements 42 and 44 are bonded together and a discharge passage forcavity 46 is formed and directed toward the area of element 42 adaptedto be exposed, by transversely bonding elements 42 and 34 together alonga line adjacent the aforementioned area. To assure rupture of this lastseal when compressive pressure is applied to the liquid-carrying cavity46, this seal or bond may be so formed as to be weaker than the bondsalong the marginal edges of the elements. The vapor-impervi0us layerspreferably extend along the marginal portions of elements 42 and 44 soas to frame the area of photosensitive element 42 adapted to be exposed.These marginal portions of the vaporimpervious layers serve to confinethe liquid content of cavity i=6, as it is spread in a layer betweenelements 32 and 44-, to the exposed area of element 42 and provide for afilm unit of uniform thickness throughout its length at least over thearea including the cavity and the portion of the photosensitive elementadapted to be exposed.

By virtue of the foregoing arrangement, the liquid contents of cavity 46may be spread between elements 42 and 44 by advancing theliquid-containing portion of the film unit between a pair of suitablepressure-applying members spaced a predetermined fixed distance apart.The width of the gap between the pressure-applying memhers may be equal.to or slightly less than the combined thicknesses of the photosensitiveelement 4 2, second element 44 and the layers of vapor-imperviousmaterial, while the thickness of the layer of processing liquid spreadbetween the photosensitive and second elements will be approximatelyequal to the combined thicknesses of the layers of vapor-imperviousmaterial which separates said elements from one another and define themargins of the area over which the liquid is spread.

In the preferred form of film unit, photosensitive and second elements)2 and 44 are formed of a sheet material which is opaque to actiuiclight or includes an opaque outer layer in order to prevent exposure ofthe photosensitive layer when the photosensitive and second elements arein superposed position. The film unit is preferably supplied with thephotosensitive and second elements adhered together in superposedposition by a suit able adhesive along the margins of said elements, andthe camera includes means for separating the photosensitive and'secondelements and guiding them into chambers 30 and 36, respectively, duringmovement of the film unit through passage 34 into exposure positionwithin the camera. To facilitate the separation of the photosensitiveand second elements during insertion of the film unit into the camera,the leading end portions of the two elements are adhered together, butthe immediate edge portions are left separated and maybe formed so thatthey diverge slightly to permit the insertion of separating meansbetween the two eiernents.

The preferred form of film unit, illustrated in Fig. 1, includes meansfor causing the spreading of the processing liquid between thephotosensitive element 42 and second element 44 during withdrawal of thefilm unit firom the camera. This spreading means comprises asubstantially rigid plate 48 having flanges 50 along its sides toincrease its rigidity and strength and an elongated slot 53. throughwhich the film unit projects. To effect the spreading of the processingliquid from cavity 46 between elements 42 and 44, the film unit is drawnthrough slot 52 starting with the end of the film unit adjacent cavity46. The slot may have slightly convergent sides to facilitate movementof the film unit therethrough and the minimum width of the slot issubstantially equal to the thickness of the film unit including thephotosensitive element 42, second element 44 and layers ofvapor-impervious material between the two elements. This type ofspreading means may be sufliciently inexpensive so as to permit itsbeing supplied with each film unit and discarded following use.

The film unit comprising elements 42 and 44 is loaded into the camera inexposure position by inserting the leadingends of the superposedelements into passage 34 and pushing the film unit through the passage.To prevent the admission of light through passage 34, pads 54, formed ofa suitable yielding or flocked material or fabric such as velvet or thelike adapted to engage the film unit in a lighttight fashion, aresecured to walls 22 and 24 comprising pas-sage 34. As a means forseparating the photosensitive and second elements and guiding them,respectively, into chambers and 36, the apex of enlarged section 38 isso sharpened and positioned as to extend between the leading endportions of elements 42 and 44 as they move through the passage anddirect the two elements into their respective chambers.

When the photosensitive element of a film unit is in position forexposure in chamber 30, the portion of the film unit comprisingliquid-carrying cavity 46 extends exteriorly of passage 34. As a meansfor protecting this portion of the film unit during storage and handlingand while the film unit is in the camera and for aiding and renderingthe film unit lighttight, there is provided a cover element or envelope56 preferably formed of substantially stiff paper or cardboard. Coverelement 56 fits snugly around the portion of the film unit adjacentcavity 46 and the other portions of elements 42 and 44 and extendstoward spreader plate 48 where it is secured. When the photosensitiveand second elements of the film unit are in exposure position within thecamera, cover element 56 may extend partially into passage 34 intoengagement with pads 54 and in this manner aids in preventing exposureof the photosensitive element during withdrawal of the film unit fromthe camera through slot 52 in plate 48.

The camera includes means cooperating with spreader plate 48 to hold andposition the latter so that it is capable of spreading the processingliquid between elements 42 and 44 during their withdrawal from thecamera through passage 34. In the form shown, this last-mentioned meanscomprises a pair of clamping plates 58 and 60 extending from the camerahousing adjacent opposite sides of passage 34. Clamping plate 58includes an enlarged mid-portion 62 at which it is pivotally mounted onpin 64 secured to lower wall 22 of housing 19 ad jacent passage 34, anactuating arm 66 extending generally parallel with wall 22, and anelongated clamping jaw 68 at least equal in width to the length ofspreader plate 48. A suitable resilient means, such as a spring 70secured between arm 66 and rear wall 24, is provided for urging jaw 68forward (in a counterclockwise direction viewing Fig. 1). Clamping plate60 comprises a cen tral section 72 at which it is pivotally mounted onpin 74 secured to rear wall 24 adjacent passage 34, an elongatedclamping jaw 76 similar to and equal inwidth to jaw 68, and an actuatingarm 78' disposed in generally parallel relation to rear wall 24.Clamping jaw 76 is resiliently biased toward jaw 68 (in a clockwisedirection) by means such as a spring 80 secured between arm 78 and wall24.

Clamping jaws 68 and 76 include reentrant sections 82 adjacent theirfree ends and are adapted to engage and retain plate 48 when the latteris positioned between the jaws. To position spreader plate 48 betweenjaws 68 and 76 the latter may be pivoted apart by manual pressure on,respectively, arms 66 and 78; or, in the preferred form shown, the endportions of jaws 68 and 76 have divergent opposed surfaces for coactingwith the spreader plate to separate the jaws as said plate is insertedtherebetween during movement of a film unit into the camera. It may bedesirable to render the chamber bounded by jaws 68 and 76 and thepressure plate 48 lighttight in order to insure against exposure of thephotosensitive element during withdrawal of the film unit from thecamera through slot 52. This may be accomplished by providing extendedportions 84 on side walls along opposite sides of jaws 68 and 76 so thatthe jaws pivot between portions 84, and providing extensions 86 on walls22 and 24 projecting on opposite sides of passage 34 between jaws 68 and76 and having end portions adapted to seat in recesses formed in theinner surfaces of jaws 68 and 76- when the jaws are closed around aspreader plate. While the spreader plate has been shown as a disposableelement of the film unit, suitable spreading means capable of defining agap through which the film unit may be withdrawn may be provided on thecamera itself. Such means would be adapted to be spaced apart to permitthe insertion of a film unit into the camera and then operativelypositioned with the end of the film unit extending through the gap.

In the operation of the camera of Fig. l, the ends of photosensitiveelement 42 and second element 44 comprising a film unit are insertedinto passage 34 and moved against the apex 40 of section 38 to separateelements 42 and 44 and guide them, respectively, into chambers and 36.The film unit including spreader plate 48 is advanced toward and throughpassage 34 until plate 48 is retained between clamping jaws 68 and 76 inengagement with reent-rant sections 82. Following exposure of thephotosensitive element the ends of the elements comprising the film unitand extending through slot 52 in spreader plate 48 are grasped andmanually drawn through slot 52 for superposing elements 42 and 44 anddistributing the processing liquid in a thin layer between the elements.The processing liquid is preferably viscous and this serves to adherethe opaque photosensitive and second elements in superposed relation,preventing exposure of the photosensitive element during processing. Theprocessing liquid may also contain a suitable dye or dispersed materialwhich is opaque to actinic light and serves to prevent light fromreaching the photosensitive layer by entering between the opaqueelements around their edges while they are superposed during processing.Following withdrawal of a film unit from the camera, the spreader plate48 associated with the film unit may be disengaged from jaws 68 and 76by depressing arms 66 and 78 to spread the jaws apart.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2 of the drawings where in there is shownanother camera embodying the present invention, like numerals being usedto denote parts like those in the previous figures. The camera comprisesa housing 10 and a lenses and shutter assembly mounted thereon with theaxis of the lens in a plane parallel with the focal surface of the lens,the numeral being used to designate the aperture of the lens forillustrating its position. The housing includes an upper wall 18, twoside walls 20, a lower wall 22, a rear wall 24 and an intermediate wall26 located adjacent rear wall 24 and having a guide surface 28 locatedat the focal surface of the lens. The lens and shutter assembly ismounted on one of side walls 20 and a reflecting member 14 is so mountedin the upper portion of housing 10 that its reflecting surface iscapable of directing a beam of light from the lens downward, andpreferably at aright angle to the lens axis, to the reflecting surfaceof a reflecting member 16 positioned adjacent lower wall 22 preferablywith its reflecting surface parallel with the lens axis and inclined ata 45 angle with respect to the focal surface of the lens.

While this camera is similar in many respects to the camera of Fig. 1,it is especially adapted to be loaded with a plurality of filmassemblages and to successively expose an area of the photosensitiveelement of each film assemblage and, following exposure, to process eachfilm assemblage by superposing the exposed area of the photosensitiveelement with an area of a second element and distributing processingliquid therebetween during withdrawal of the film unit from the camera.Accordingly, chamber 30, defined by rear wall 24 and intermediate wall26, and chamber 36, defined by lower wall 22 and reflecting member 16,are sufiiciently deep to accommodate a plurality of photosensitive andsecond elements. As a means for successively positioning each of aplurality of photosensitive elements for exposure against guide surface23 of wall 26, there is provided in chamber 30 a pressure plate 92 urgedby a spring 94 toward wall 26. The area of pressure plate 92 is at leastequal to, and preferably larger than, the exposure aperture 32, and itslower end portion is curved or beveled to facilitate the insertion of aplurality of photosensitive elements between plate 92 and wall 26.

A film assemblage adapted for use in the camera of Fig. 2 preferablycomprises a first or photosensitive element generally designated at 96,a second or image-receptive element 98 and a container 100 carrying aprocessing liquid. The photosensitive element 96, as illustrated inFigs. 3 and 4, comprises an opaque backing sheet 102 having aphotosensitive layer 104 secured thereto and adapted to be exposed toactinic light to produce a latent image. The photosensitive layer 104may comprise a photosensitive material such as an emulsion of silverhalide cast directly on backing sheet 102 or preferably may comprise aseparate photosensitive sheet secured to the backing sheet. One end ofthe backing sheet functions as a leader 1% and a container may besecured to leader 106 adjacent photosensitive layer The second element98 of the film unit comprises opaque backing sheet 108 substantiallyequal in size and shape to backing sheet 102 and including animage-receptive layer 165 supeiposable with the'photosensitive layer 104of element 96. Image-receptive layer may comprise an especially coatedarea of backingsheet 168 or it may preferably comprise a separate sheetsecured to backing sheet 108. An end portion 110 of sheet 108,substantially equal in length to leader E06, acts as a leader for thesecond element so that when the photosensitive and second elements havebeen loaded into the camera and exposed therein in a separatedcondition, the two leaders may be employed for withdrawing the twoelements comprising the film unit from the camera in superposedrelation. The container 100 of the film unit may be secured to leader110 of second element 98 adjacent the image-receptive area thereofrather than to leader 106 of photosensitive element 96.

In the illustrated embodiment, container 100 comprises two elongatedrectangular wall sections 112 and 114 similar in peripheral outline andbonded together at their margins to form a cavity 116 for the processingliquid. Wall fs ect;ions;112.-and.114 areformed preferably ofa multi-plysheet material which is impervious to the processing liquid liquidcontents of the container are discharged upon the application ofcompressive pressure on the walls of the container. The container issecured to either the photosensitive 'orsecond element of the film unitwith the discharge mouth extending transversely of the elements anddirected toward the photosensitive and image-receptive layers of theelements over which the processing liquid is to be distributed.

To process a film unit the photosensitive and second elements 96 and 98are superposed with ya film unit therebetween and are advanced betweenspreading means capable of applying compressive pressure on the filmunit so asto cause the liquid content of the container to be ejectedtherefrom and distributed in a uniformly thin layer between thephotosensitive layer 104 of element 96 and the image-receptive layer ofsecond element 98. A preferred form of spreading means comprises a pairof members predeterminedly spaced apart so as to provide a fixed gapthrough which the film unit is moved. The thickness of the layer ofprocessing liquid spread between the two elements is determined by theWidth of this gap, the :latter being preferably equai in width to thecombined thickness of backing sheets 102 and 108, photosensitive layer104, image-receptive layer 105 and the thickness of the layerofprocessing liquid, indicated at 111 in Fig. 4, spread between thephotosensitive and image-receptive layers. Since the gap between thespreading members is preferably fixed, it is desirable that the combinedthickness of the wall sections 112 and 114 of container 100 and backingsheets 102 and 108 does not exceed the width of the gap and ispreferablyequal to the width of the gap.

To permit the loading of a plurality of film units into exposureposition, the camera includes a passage 34 between the junction of walls22 and 24. Enlarged section 38 mounting one end of reflecting member 16and joined with intermediate wall 25 includes a wedge-shaped apex 4%)extending into passage34. Means are provided for rendering passage 3-4lighttight when one or more film .units are positioned in'the camera. Inthe form shown in Fig. 2, the last-mentioned means includes an elongatedresilient light-shielding member 118, having a generally U-shaped crosssection, secured at one arm to rear wall 24 so that the other armextends into passage 34. Member 113 is provided with a pad of pilefabric, flocking or the like secured to the arm extending into thepassage and adapted to bear against the surface of a film .unitpositioned in passage 34 to prevent light'from leaking past the filmunit. 1 Another elongated resilient shielding member 120 is secured tolower wall 22 and includes a portion provided with a light-shielding padextending into passage 34 toward member 118. Members 118 and 12th aredeformable and extend sulficiently into passage 34 to seal the latteragainst the admission of light with either a single film unit or aplurality of film units extending through the passage. Suitableadditional light-shielding pads of pile fabric or flocking may beprovided in passage 34 secured to side walls 20 to prevent the admissionof light around the edges of the film units extending through thepassage.

A plurality of film units are provided in a novel film pack adapted tobe loaded into the camera. The photosensitive elements 96 comprising thefilm units are stacked together in facing relation for insertion throughpassage 34 into chamber 36 and the second elements 98 of the film unitsare similarly stacked for insertion into chamber 36. The film packincludes an opaque envelope 122 for-the film units adapted to enclosethe two stacks of ,stack of second elements 98.

.10 photosensitive and second elements disposed'in facing relation withthe photosensitive layers lit-rand imagereceptive layers in. facingrelation and with their backing layers disposed outermost. The twoelements comprising the first of the film units to be exposed andprocessed are located adjacent one another and the elements comprisingeach successive film unit are disposed progressively outward so that thephotosensitive and second elements of the last film unit to be exposedcomprise the outermost layers of the stacks of elements. Envelope 222comprises sections 124 and 126 adapted to enclose, respectively, aplurality of photosensitive elements 96 and second elements 98. Sections124 and 126 are formed of any suitable flexible sheet material such asblack paper which is opaque to actinic light, and section is generallyrectangular in shape and conforms to the shape of the stack ofphotosensitive elements so as to cover the exterior of said stack ofelements from the end of said stack adapted to be inserted into thecamera to the portion of said stack in the regionof containers 1%.Section 124 includes edge portions 128 extending around the ends andsides of the stack of photosensitive elements 96 between the latter andthe Section 126 is substantiallyflidentical to section 124 and enclosesa plurality of second elements 98. Section 126 includes edge portions13;) extending around the end and sides of the stack of second elements98 between the latter and the aforementioned stack of photosensitiveelements. Sections, designated at 132, of the edge portions 128 and 13!)disposed adjacent containers 10% extend around the stacks ofphotosensitive and second elements rather than between said elements soas to provide a noninterrrupted envelope around the portion of thephotosensitive and second elements including containers 1%. The edgeportions 128 and 13d of envelope sections 124 and 126 cent t-he end ofenvelope 122 may not be adhered to one another, thereby allowingwedge-shaped apex 40 of enlarged section 33 to rupture the adhesive andenter between the stacks of photosensitive and second elements duringmovement of the film pack through passage 34.

Thus, as the film pack is advanced through passage 34 against apex it),the two stacks of elements comprising .a plurality of film units areseparated and guided into their respective chambers 3t and 36 intoposition for exposure. During movement of the film pack into exposureposition, light-shielding members 118 and 120 engage the envelope toprevent the admission of light into the camera.

;As hereinbefore mentioned, the processing liquid is spread-fromcontainer tilt? between the photosensitive 'and'second elementscomprising a film .unit during the advancement of the film unit througha gap of predetermined Width. When a film pack comprising a plurality offilm units is positioned in the camera, the leaders 106 and are adaptedto extend through this gap. Following exposure of the photosensitivelayer 104 of a film .unit, the two innermost leaders 106 and 110comprising the photosensitive and second elements of the exposed filmunit are drawn through the gap and between the leaders comprising thenext successive film units. As ;acontai;ner 1%, attached to either ofthe leaders, passes-through the gap the liquid content of the containeris discharged between the two elements and is spread between thephotosensitive layer 184 and image-receptive layer 1&5 as the portion ofthe film unit comprising said layers is drawn through the gap betweenthe leaders of the remaining film units.

The means providing this gap is shown diagrammatieally "in-section inFig. 4 in order to illustrate the method which in. turn determines thethickness of the layer of processing liquid spread between thephotosensitive and image-receptive elements. In the form shown theheight of shoulders 138 and therefore the width of the gap issubstantially equal to the combined thickness of backing sheets 102 and108, photosensitive layer 104, image receptive layer 105 and the layerof liquid to be spread between the photosensitive and image-receptivelayers. While shoulders 138 are illustrated as being on movable member136, they may be on fixed member 134 as well, or, if desired, on bothmembers so long as their combined height does not exceed the gap width.As shown in the drawings, leaders 1.06 and 110 are formed wider than thephotosensitive and second layers 104 and 105 to adapt them for use withspreading means of the type illustrated. Shoulders 138 are spaced apartso that the portions of the photosensitive and second elementscomprising the photosensitive and image-receptive layers are free topass through the gap between the shoulders and the leaders are of suchwidth that the shoulders bear against the edge portions of said leaders.Movable member 136 is urged toward fixed member 134 so that as theleaders of an exposed film unit are advanced from engagement withshoulders 138 the gap between the leaders of the remaining film units isequal to the height of the shoulders, and it is through this gap thatthe portion of the film unit including the photosensitive andimage-receptive layers is drawn. This resilient means is preferably ofsuch strength that, for most practical purposes, the gap between theleaders is fixed with respect to the film unit being advancedtherethrough. By virtue of this arrangement, an inexpensive spreadingmeans can be achieved which is capable of distributing a uniformly thinlayer of processing liquid between the photosensitive and secondelements of a plurality of successive film units regardless of theirnumber. The thickness of the layer of processing liquid may be varied,if desired, by changing the height of shoulders 138 and/or varying thethicknesses of the materials comprising backing sheets 102 and 108,photosensitive layer 104 or imagereceptive layer 105.

Spreading means of the foregoing type is illustrated in Fig. 6 of thedrawings and comprises a generally rectangularly shaped frame 140comprising a forward wall 142, a rear wall 144 and two end walls 146secured to the camera housing in surrounding relation to passage 34. Thefixed spreading member of the spreading means shown comprises anintegral portion of rear wall 144 folded toward forward wall 142 andback upon itself to form a substantially rigid spreader member,generally designated at 148, having a substantially straight edgeportion extending transversely of passage 34 and in a planesubstantially parallel with the focal surface of the camera lens. Endwalls 146 are preferably parallel and spaced apart a distancesubstantially equal to the width of the leaders comprising the filmunits, and spreader member 148 extends into contact with both end walls146 and may be joined therewith in a light-tight manner. A movablespreader member, generally designated at 150, is provided and comprisesan elongated plate 152 having a generally channel-shaped cross sectionand is substantially equal in length to fixed spreader member 148. Plate152 is provided with a pair of dependent arms 154 preferably formedintegrally therewith and so constructed as to extend in the samedirection adjacent and between end walls 146. Each of arms 154 includesa hole 156 adjacent its end at which plate 152 is pivotally mounted onpins 159 extending through end walls 146 into enlarged section 38. Plate152 is generally U-shaped in cross sectionand comprises a connectingbase portion 158, a rear side portion 160 and a forward side portion 162extending from base portion 158. When plate 152 is piovtally mountedbetween end walls 146 on arms 154 at pins 159, forward wall 142 of frame140 extends between rear side portion 160 and forward side portion 162of plate 152. 7

Rear side portion 160 of plate 152 is formed to provide a shoulder 164located at the juncture of said side portion and base portion 158 andextending the full length of plate 152. Shoulder 164 defines asubstantially straight surface or edge comprising one side of the gapthrough which the film units are adapted to be advanced. Theaforementioned shoulders at the ends of the movable spreader memberadapted to define the width of the spreader gap may be provided, in theform shown, as a pair of strips 166 of a thickness equal to the desireddepth'of the spreader gap, secured to plate 152 at its ends, andextending along arms 154. Alternatively, the shoulders may be providedon fixed spreader member 148, and may be so constructed as to permitadjustment to various heights to accommodate film units of 'diiferentthicknesses or for varying the thickness of the layer of processingliquid.

Movable spreader member 150 is resiliently urged toward fixed member 148by such means as a leaf spring 168 secured to the rear of forward Wall142 of frame 140 and between wall 142 and rear side portion 160 of plate152 so as to exert pressure on plate 152, urging the latter rearwardtoward fixed member 148. As a means for spacing movable member 150 apartfrom fixed member 148 to permit the insertion of film units into thecamera, there is provided a cylindrical cam 170 pivotally secured to theexterior of forward wall 142 of frame 140 and positioned to engageforward side portion 162 of plate 152 and move the latter forward whenthe cam is pivoted. Cylindrical cam 170 is the major arc of a circle inshape and has secured thereto a handle 172 adapted to facilitate manualrotation of the cam from its normal position with its straight sidelocated closely adjacent the edge of side portion 162, in order to pivotspreader member 150 away from fixed member 148.

To permit loading of a film pack comprising a plurality of film unitsinto the camera, spreader members 148 and 150 are spaced apart byrotating cam 170. This permits the leading end of the film pack to beinserted into passage 34 between resilient light-shielding members 118and 120 and moved through the passage against wedge-shaped apex 40 ofsection 38 whereby the stacks of photosensitive elements 96 and secondelements 98 are separated and guided into chambers 30 and 36,respectively. The fihn pack is moved into the camera until furthermovement is prevented by the engagement of sections 132 of envelope 122with section 38 of the camera housing, at which time the portion of thefilm pack including containers is positioned exterior of passage 34between the latter and spreader members 148 and 150. Envelope 122 coversat least the section of the film unit extending between light-sealingmembers 118 and and preferably the portion of the film unit within thechamber formed by frame and the spreader members, and may or may notextend between the spreader members themselves. Cam 170 is then pivotedso as to allow spreader member to move under the bias of spring 168 intoengagement with the stack of leaders 106 and 110 extending between thespreader members. The leaders extend beyond the spreader members asuflicient length to allow them to be grasped by the operator. To assurethat the operator pulls the two proper leaders each time, leaders 106and 110 comprising the elements of the first film unit to be exposed andprocessed are of the same length and longer than th remaining leadersand each successive pair of leaders are equal in length and shorter thanthe previous pair of leaders so that the operator may only grasp thelongest and innermost pair of leaders after each exposure to be sure ofwithdrawing the proper pair of elements from the camera. The film packmay be supplied initially with the leaders 106 and 110 of the first filmunit secured to one another. As a film unit is withdrawn from the camerabetween the spreader members,

the processing liquid is spread between the superposed photosensitiveand image-receptive layers during movement of that portion of the unitthrough the gap defined by the remaining leaders and spreader members.By virtue of their construction and mounting, frame 140, together withspreader members 143 and 150, may define a lighttight chamber which aidsin preventing exposure of the photosensitive element during withdrawalfrom the camera and superposition with the second element.

Another means providing a pressure-applying or liquidspreading gap isillustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 9 and 10 and is adapted to manualadjustment of the width of the gap to accommodate variations in thenumber of film units extending between the members defining the gap,This gap is defined, for example, by a fixed member 2214 and anothermember 216 movable toward and away from the fixed member andspring-biased toward said fixed member. The spacing between the membersis variable and is controlled by such means as a pair of cams Zlti whichengage end sections of member 216. The operation of thepressure-applying members is illustrated, by a showing in Fig. 10, ofsuccessive photosensitive sheets indicated at arranged in one stackbetween members 214 and 216, corresponding image-receiving sheets 222arranged in corresponding stacked relation and a layer of liquid 22ddistributed between the two innermost photosensitive and image-receivingsheets comprising a film unit. Suitable light-shielding means (notshown) may be incorporated into the structure of any device operating onthe principles illustrated by Fig. 9 in order to prevent prematureexposure of light-sensitive materials of the film units. When this typeof spreading device is employed, the sheets comprising the film unitsmay be of uniform width and need not be provided with leaders of greaterwidth. The cams 213, or other suitable manually engageable means such asknobs secured thereto, may be provided with suitable indicia as shown inFig. 10 for indicating to the operator the setting of the cams forspreading a liquid between each particular film unit, the cams being soconstructed and the indicia being so arranged that the gap is widestwhen the first (innermost) film unit is moved between thepressure-applying members and is decreased for each successive film unitto its narrowest width for the last (shown as eighth) film unit as thelatter is drawn through the gap.

It becomes apparent that the liquid-spreading device shown in Fig. 6could be readily modified to operate on the principles illustrated inFig. 9. For example, strips 2166 providing shoulders on one of the pairof pressureapplying members could be eliminated and cam 170 employed formanually controlling the width of the spreading gap. Suitable indiciacould then be provided on forward wall 142 for designating settings ofcam 170 to provide predetermined gap widths. in another form of theinvention, the liquid-spreading device and at least one of the elementsof each film unit are so constructed that as a film unit is withdrawnfrom the camera a portion of one of the elements is advanced behind oneof the pressureapplying members so as to close the gap between themembers by a predetermined amount sufiicient to adjust the gap forwithdrawal of the film unit.

Liquid-spreading devices based on the principles illus trated in Fig. 4or Figs. 9 and 10 and the herein-disclosed arrangement of film units forspreading a liquid between a pair of sheets comprising a film unit asthe two sheets are advanced between the leaders of successive film unitsthe processing liquid spread from the container.

may be incorporated into a magazine structure of the type disclosed inmy copending application Serial No. 437,05 8, filed June 16, 1954. Thistype of magazine may be provided with a plurality of photosensitive andimage-receiving elements arranged in separate Staci-1s with leadersattached to each element and extending between a pair ofpressure-applying members.

As a means for positioning successive photosensitive elements forexposure in chamber 3t), there are provided a pressure plate 174 andspring T176 within chamber 30 adapted. to bear against the rear of astack of photosensitive elements and hold them against intermediate wall26. The photosensitive layers 1% of the photosensitive elements arepreferably wider than the film frame aperture 32 and the spacing betweenedge portions lZfi of envelope 122 is at least equal to the width ofaperture 32 so that edge portions 128 do not interfere with exposure ofthe photosensitive layer of each film unit through aperture 32.

To insure distribution of the processing liquid in a uniform layer ofpredetermined thickness, the processing liquid in container 1% ispreferably provided in a quantity in excess of the actual amountrequired for the layer of predetermined thickness and area. As a filmunit is withdrawn from the camera between the leaders of the remain ingfilm units, the excess processing liquid is exuded from between the endsof the photosensitive and second elements and is trapped between theleaders of the next successive film unit. Were this trapped processingliquid allowed to dry before this next film unit were withdrawn from thecamera, it would pose no problem. However, it may be desirable toimmediately expose and process this next film unit and to prevent thetrapped excess liquid from being spread within this next film unit as itis withdrawn from the camera through the spreader gap, means areprovided for trapping this liquid so that it cannot be spread pastcontainer res and thereby contaminate In a preferred form shown, eachcontainer 1% is provided with two lateral extensions 173 which cooperatewith the leaders res and 11 d to space the leaders apart and provide acavity within which this excess processing liquid from the previous filmunit is trapped.

During withdrawal of a film unit from the camera between the leaders ofthe remaining film units, frictional forces may be exerted on the otherfilm units, tending to move them from th camera. Accordingly, the cameraincludes holding means cooperating with the film units for preventingtheir premature movement or withdrawal from the camera during withdrawalof a film unit therefrom. To adapt them for use with one form of holdingmeans, the backing sheets 1.02 and 1%, respectively, of thephotosensitive and second elements are provided with a series of holeslfitl adjacent their ends, the number of holes in each backing sheetbeing one less than the number of film units to be loaded at one timeinto the camera. The holes 18d in each element of a stack are evenlyspaced across each element and are aligned with the holes in the otherelements. Sections 124 and 126 of envelope 122. are provided withcorresponding sets of holes also designated at and located in alignmentwith the holes in the stacks of elements carried by the envelopesections.

The holding means of the camera comprises a pin 182 located in each ofchambers 34 and .36 and adapted to project through the ali ned holes ineach stack of envelopes and thereby engage and retain the stack ofelements within the chamber in which the particular pin is positioned.To permit the withdrawal of only one element at a time from the chamberwhile retaining the remaining elements therein, the edge portion or" thebacking sheet between a hole and the end of the backing sheet of the oneelement is cut away so as to form a slot 184 which permits freewithdrawal of that one particular element even though the pin isprojecting through the hole with which the slot communicates. Thus, forexample, when a stack of eight photosensitive elements is to be loadedinto the camera, each element includes seven holes. A slot 184 isprovided in the first element com municating between the end of theelement and the first hole and the pin 182 projects through the firsthole in all the elements, retaining them in the camera as the firstelement is withdrawn. The pin may then be positioned in the second holeof each of the remaining elements and the second element to be withdrawnis provided with a slot 184 communicating with the second hole in saidelement and permitting its withdrawal from the camera, while theremaining elements (2 through 8) are retained in the camera. In thismanner the elements can be withdrawn in succession until the lastelement remains and then the pin is withdrawn from the last hole topermit withdrawal of the last element. 1f the pin is moved successivelyfrom one position to another, this arrangement also prevents thewithdrawal of an element of a film unit out of its regular order inaddition to providing a ready indication of the number of film unitsremaining in the camera.

It has been found that the film unit most likely to be withdrawn alongwith the exposed film unit is the next successive film unit after theone being withdrawn, and if the element of a film unit immediatelyadjacent the moving element is secured against movement, the remainingelements will not move even though they are not secured. Accordingly,each element need have only two apertures through which a pin is adaptedto project with alternate apertures in successive elements being slots.Thus, for example, aperture 1 in elements 1, '5, 5 and 7 is a slot andaperture 2 in elements 2, 4, 6 and 8 is a slot. It would then benecessary to move each of pins 182 to only two alternative positions orto provide two pins which can be alternatively inserted through theapertures 180 in the elements. In the embodiment shown in the drawings,two pairs of pins 182 are mounted so as to extend into chambers 30 and36 and engage a pair of apertures in the end of the stack of elementspositioned in each chamber.

Means are provided for so mounting the two pins 182 of each pair thatthey may be positioned alternately in engagement with the elements, orsimultaneously out of engagement position in order to permit the loadingof a plurality of film units into the camera. The last-mentioned meansfor mounting a pair of pins comprises a pair of elongated resilient arms186 and 183 each secured at one end to the wall of the camera housingcomprising the outer wall of the chamber and may be secured, forexample, to walls 2?, and 24. Pins 182 are mounted on arms 186 and 188adjacent the free ends of the arms so as to project through a pair ofholes 190 in the outer wall of the chamber underlying arms 186 and 188.Pins 182 normally project through holes 1% into the chamber in positionto engage the apertures in a stack of elements and either or both pinsare positioned out of their normal engagement position by deforming theresilient arms 186 and 188 on which they are mounted. As a means fordeforming arms 186 and 183 either simultaneously or alternately, thereis provided a generally rectangular actuating plate 192 positioned forsliding movement in a narrow recess or channel 194 in the housing wallat the end of the chamber. Recess 194 extends transversely of thedirection of movement of the elements through the chamber, issubstantially equal in width to plate .192, is longer than the plate soas to permit limited sliding movement thereof and is of such a depththat a portion of the plate projects exteriorly of the outer wall whenthe plate is resting on the bottom of the recess. Actuating plate 1 12includes an upper portion 196 projecting from the recess, a base portion198 and an aperture between the two portions so formed as to define anactuating portion 2th extending upward from base portion 198. Actuatingportion 2% includes a generally flat engagement section 282 at itsmid-portion and inclined sections 204 at its ends sloping from section202 toward base portion 198. The free end portions 206 of arms 186 and188 are bent substantially at right angles to the arms and extend into arecess 2% provided for this purpose in the outer wall of the housing.End portions 206 extend into recess 208 closely adjacent or in contactwith actuating plate 192 and are provided with engagement sections 211)which extend into the aperture in plate 192 so as tocoact with theengagement sections of actuating portion 200 for deforming arms 186 and188. Engagement sections 210 are so positioned with respect to oneanother that, when actuating plate 192 is at a central position, theyare supported at the same time on the ends of flat section 202 ofactuating portion 2% whereby both arms 186 and 188 are deformed and pins182 are held out of engagement position. Movement of actuating plate 192in either direction from this central position is effective to allow oneof the engagement sections 210 to ride down an inclined section 264 ofactuating portion 200 toward base portion 198 while the other engagementsection 210 remains supported on flat section 202. This allows one ofthe resilient arms 186 and 188 to return to its normal position with thepins 182 mounted thereon in position to engage elements in the chamber.To reverse the position of the pins, plate 192 is moved in the oppositedirection to the limit of recess 194 whereby the engagement section 210of the normally positioned arm rides up an inclined section 204 and issupported on fiat section 202 while the other engagement section 210comprising the previously deformed arm rides down the opposite inclinedsection 204, allowing that arm to assume its normal position with thepin attached thereto in engagement position. Upper portion 196 of plate192 projects from recess 194 to provide a convenient means for manuallyengaging and moving the plate, and the mid-portion of section 292 ofactuating portion 200 may be slightly higher than the ends of saidsection, as shown, so that a slight resistance is offered to movement ofplate 192 when the plate is centrally positioned and both arms 186 and188 are deformed.

Another means for insuring the Withdrawal of the film units singly andin proper order is embodied in the film pack itself and comprisessecuring the elements of each film unit to the elements of the nextsuccessive film unit and the elements of the last film unit to theenvelope 122 in which they are supplied. The camera is adapted for usewith this type of film pack by the inclusion of any suitable means forretaining the envelope against movement within the camera housing. Theelements of each film unit, except the first film unit, are secured tothe elements of the next successive film unit in such a manner as to bereleased immediately following withdrawal of the previous film unit fromthe camera. This may be effected by providing a row of apertures 212across the leaders of the photosensitive and second elements adjacentcontainer 1%, the row of apertures being located between the containersand the spreader gap when the film units are in exposure position withinthe camera. The apertures in a row are spaced apart by a distance whichis greater than the width of each aperture and the apertures inalternate leaders are aligned. For example, in a film pack comprising 8film units, the apertures in the leaders comprising film units 2, 4, 6,and 8 are aligned and the apertures in the leaders comprising film units3, 5 and 7 are aligned and located between the apertures in the evennumbered film units. The leaders of each film unit are secured to theleaders of the next successive film unit by providing a material havingadhesive properties in the apertures of the firstmentioned leaders sothat said material forms a bond with the next leaders between theapertures of those leaders, and the leaders of the last film unit aresecured to the envelope by an adhesive material located in the aperturesof said last leaders. The material used in the apertures to secure theleaders together is one which is soluble in or softened by theprocessing liquid and is preferably a plastic whose adhesive propertiesare impaired by reagents in the processing liquid. The adhesive materialsecuring the film unit to the next successive film unit is so weakenedby excess processing liquid trapped between the leaders of the film unitduring withdrawal of the previous film unit through the spreader gap asto permit the withdrawal of the first-mentioned film unit from thecamera. When the processing liquid, for example, is adapted to effect asilver halide diffusion-transfer process and contains an alkali, theapertures in the leaders are filled with a plastic material such, forexample, as cellulose acetate hydrogen phthalate, whose adhesiveproperties are impaired by the alkali present in the liquid.

In another embodiment of the camera, the two spreader members may bemounted for movement to and from an operative position wherein they arepredeterminedly spaced apart to provide a gap of fixed width throughwhich a single film unit extends and is advanced for spreading theprocessing liquid. The two spreader members are so constructed andmounted that they may be positioned on opposite sides of the two leaderscomprising a film unit and between said leaders and the leaders of theremaining film units. When the spreader members are in this position,the leaders of the film unit to be withdrawn and processed extendthrough the gap between the spreader members while the leaders of the remaining film units are disposed on opposite sides of the two spreadermembers. This arrangement obviates the necessity for adjusting the gapbetween the spreader members necessitated by variation in the number ofleaders extending therethrough since only the leaders of the film unitbeing withdrawn from the camera extend between the spreader members.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including afirst element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed toactinic light, a second element having an area superposable with saidphotosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, a housingwithin which the first elements of a plurality of film units may bepositioned in stacked relation for exposure, a passage in said housingadapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first andsecond elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within saidpassage for separating the stack of said first elements from the stackof said second elements during movement of said film units through saidpassage into exposure position, means within said housing forpositioning said stack of second elements apart from said stack of firstelements during movement of said film units into said camera and duringexposure of said first elements, and means mounted on said cameraadjacent said passage for superposing the first and second elements ofeach film unit during withdrawal of said film unit through said passageand so distributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces ofsaid first and second elements as to eifect the processing of theexposed photosensitive area of said first element.

2. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area andmeans containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, incombination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, exposure meansassociated with said housing, guide means within said housing forpositioning the first element of a film unit for exposure to lighttransmitted by said exposure means, means within said chamber providinganother chamber for positioning the second element of said film unitapart from said first element during exposure of the photosensitive areaof said first element, a passage in said housing adjacent said guidemeans and communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted toreceive said film unit with said first and second elements thereof insuperposed relation, means within said passage for separating said firstand second elements during movement of said film unit through saidpassage into said housing, and means associated with said passageexterior of said housing for superposing the first and second elementsof a film unit and so distributing said processing liquid between theouter surfaces of said elements as to effect a predetermined processingof said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit throughsaid passage.

3. A camera for use with a plurailty of film units each including afirst element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed toactinic light, a second element having an area superposable with saidphotosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, saidcamera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttightchamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means withinsaid housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality offilm units for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means,said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within saidhousing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film unitsin stacked relation, means within said housing providing a third chamberfor positioning the second elements of a plurality of said film units instacked relation and apart from the first elements of said plurality offilm units to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each ofsaid first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent said guide meansand communicating with the exterior of said housing and adapted toreceive a plurality of said film units with the first and secondelements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within said passagefor guiding said stacks of said first and second elements into saidsecond and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with saidpassage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the firstand second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of said film unitthrough said passage and so distributing said processing liquid betweenthe outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to effect theprocessing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element.

4. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light and a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area andadapted to aid in the distri-btuion of a processing liquid between theouter surfaces of said elements so as to effect the processing of saidphotosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housing,lens means associated with said housing, guide means within said housingfor positioning the first element of a film unit substantially at thefocal surface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby,means within said housing including a reflecting member disposedobliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an opticalpath between said lens and said photosensitive area of said firstelement positioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating withsaid housing to provide a chamber located obliquely to said focalsurface for positioning the second element of said film unit apart fromsaid first element to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area ofsaid first element, and means for distributing said processing liquidbetween said elements.

5. A camera for use with a film unit including a firs element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area andmeans containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising,

in combination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens meansassociated with said housing, guide means within said chamber forpositioning the first element of a film unit substantially at the focalsurface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, meanswithin said chamber including a reflecting member disposed obliquely tothe focal surface of said lens for provid ng an optical path betweensaid lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positionedfor exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with said housing toprovide a second chamber located obliquely to said focal surface forpositioning the second element of said film unit apart from said firstelement to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area of said firstelement, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide meansand said reflecting member and communicating with the exterior of saidhousing, said passage being so formed as to receive said film unit withsaid first and second elements thereof in superposed relation, and meansassociated with said passage for superposing said first and secondelements and so distributing said processing liquid between the outersurfaces of said elements as to effect a predetermined processing ofsaid photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit throughsaid passage.

6. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area andmeans containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, incombination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens meansassociated with said housing, guide means within said chamber forpositioning the first element or a film unit substantially at the focalsurface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens,means within said chamber including a reflecting member disposedobliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an opticalpath between said lens and the photosensitive area of said first elementpositioned for exposure, said reflecting member cooperating with saidhousing to provide a second chamber located obliquely to said focalsurface for positioning the second element of said film unit apart fromsaid first element to permit the exposure of said photosensitive area ofsaid first element, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of saidguide means and said reflecting member and commun1- eating with theexterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to receivesaid film unit wlth said first and second elements thereof in superposedrelation, means within said passage for separating said first and secondelements during movement of said film unit therethrough and for guidingsaid first and second elements,

respectively, into engagement with said guide means andinto said secondchamber, and means associated with said passage exterior of said housingfor superposingsaid first and second elements and so distributing saidprocessing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elementsas toeffect a predetermined processing of said photosensitive area duringwithdrawal of said film unit through said passa e.

7. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each of whichincludes a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to beexposed to actinic light and a second element having an areasuperposable with said photosensitive area and adapted to aid in thedistribution of a processing composition between said elements so as toeffect the processing of said photosensitive area, said cameracomprising, in combination, a housing, lens means associated with saidhousing, guide means within said housing for positioning the firstelement of each of a plurality of film units substantially at the focalsurface of said lens for exposure to light transmitted thereby, saidguide means cooperating to provide a first chamber within said housingfor positioning the first elements of a plurality of said first elementsin stacked relation, means including at least one reflecting memberdisposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing anoptical path between said lens and the photosensitive area of the firstelement of a film unit positioned for exposure, said reflecting membercooperating with said housing to provide a second chamber disposedobliquely to said first chamber for positioning a plurality of saidsecond elements in stacked relation apart from said first elements topermit the exposure of the photosensitive area of each of said firstelements, a passage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide meansand said reflecting member and communicating with the exterior of saidhousing, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receiving aplurality of said film units with the first and second elements thereofdisposed in two separate stacks, and means associated with said passagefor superposing the first and second elements of each of said film unitsand distributing said processing liquid between said elements.

8. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including afirst element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed toactinic light, a second element having an area superposable with saidphotosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, saidcamera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttightchamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means withinsaid chamber for positioning the first element of each of a plurality ofsaid film units substantially at the focal surface of said lens forexposure to light transmitted thereby, said guide means cooperating toprovide a second chamber within said housing for positioning a pluralityof said first elements in stacked relation, means including at least onereflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lensfor providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitivearea of the first element of a film unit positioned for exposure, saidreflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a thirdchamber disposed obliquely to said second chamber for positioning aplurality of said second elements in stacked relation apart from saidfirst elements to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of eachof said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent one end ofsaid guide means and said reflecting member and communicating with theexterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to be capableof receiving stacks of first and second elements, and means associatedwith said passage for superposing the first and second elements of'eachfilm unit and so distributing said processing liquid between the outersurfaces of, said elements as to effect a predetermined processing ofsaid photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit throughsaid passage.

9. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each of whichincludes a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to beexposed to actinic light, a second element having'an area superposablewith said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid,said camera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttightchamber, lens means associated with said housing, guide means withinsaid chamber for positioning the first element of each of a plurality offilm units substantially at the focal surface of said lens for exposureto light transmitted by said lens, said guide means cooperating toprovide a second chamber within said housing for positioning a pluralityof said first elements in stacked relation, means including at least onereflecting member disposed obliquely to the focal surface of said lensfor providing an optical path between said lens and the photosensitivearea of the first element of a fihn unit positioned for exposure, saidreflecting member cooperating with said housing to provide a thirdchamber disposed obliquely to said second chamber for positioning aplurality of said second elements in stacked relation apart from saidfirst elements'to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of eachof said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent one endofsaid guide means andsaidreflect- 21 ing member and communicating withthe exterior of said housing, said passage being so formed as to becapable of receiving a plurality of said film units with the first andsecond elements thereof disposed in two separate stacks, means withinsaid passage for separating the stack of said first elements from thestack of said second elements during movement of said film units throughsaid passage into said housing and for guiding said stacks into saidsecond and third chambers, respectively, and means associated with saidpassage and located exteriorly of said housing for superposing the firstand second elements of each film unit during withdrawal of the latterthrough said passage and so distributing said processing liquid betweenthe outer surfaces of said first and second elements as to effect theprocessing of the exposed photosensitive area of said first element.

10. In a camera for exposing and processing a photo graphic film unit,in combination, a housing, exposure means associated with said housing,means within said housing positioning the photosensitive area-of a firstelement of said film unit for exposure to light transmitted by saidexposure means, means Within said housing including a reflecting memberdisposed obliquely to said photosensitive area for providing an opticalpath between said exposure means and said photosensitive area of saidfirst element, said reflecting member cooperating with a portion of saidhousing to provide a chamber housing a second element of said film unitand locating said second element apart from said first element, apassage in said housing adjacent one end of said guide means and saidchamber, portions of said first and second elements of said film unitextending through said passage in superposed relation, and a spreaderelement positioned in closing relation to said passage and havingengagement portions between which said first and second elements extendand adapted to efiect the distribution of a processing liquid betweensaid elements during movement thereof through said passage.

ll. In a photographic apparatus for exposing and processing photographicfilm units, in combination, a housing, a film unit including a firstelement having a photosensitive area positioned for exposure in saidhousing, means within said housing including a reflecting memberdisposed obliquely to said photosensitive area for photoexposing saidarea, said reflecting member cooperating with a portion of said housingto provide a chamber, a second element comprising said film unit andhaving an area superposable with said photosensitive area and positionedin said chamber apart from said first element, a passage in said housingadjacent one end of said chamber, portionsof' said first and secondelements extending through said passage in superposed relation, meansassociated with said elements for releasably containing a processingliquid, and a spreader element positioned in closing relation to saidpassage and having engagement portions between which said first andsecond elements are advanced for effecting the release of saidprocessing liquid between said elements, the aforementioned portions ofsaid elements extending between said engagement portions exteriorly ofsaid housing.

12. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, meanscontaining a processing liquid and a spreader element providing twosections between which said film unit is advanced for superposing thesecond element with said photosensitive area of said first element andso distributing the processing liquid between the outer surfaces of saidelements as to efi'ect the processing of said photosensitive area, saidcamera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a lighttightchamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means withinsaid housing for positioning the first element of a film unit forexposure to light transmitted by said exposure means,

means within said chamber providing another chamber for positioning thesecond element of said film unit apart from said first element duringexposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passage insaid housing adjacent said guide means and communicating with theexterior of said housing and adapted to receive said film unit with saidfirst and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means withinsaid passage for separating said first and second elements duringmovement of said film unit through said passage into said housing, andmeans mounted on said housing for releasably retaining and supportingsaid spreader element exteriorly of said housing adjacent said passageduring withdrawal of said film unit from said camera between saidsections.

13. A photographic apparatus for use with a plurality of film units eachincluding a first element having a photosensitive area adapted to beexposed to actinic light, a second element having an area superposablewith said photosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid,said apparatus comprising, in combination, a housing defining alighttight chamber, exposure means asso ciated with said housing, guidemeans within said housing for positioning the first element of each of aplurality of film units for exposure to light transmitted by saidexposure means, said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamberwithin said housing for positioning the first elements of a plurality offilm units in stacked relation, means within said housing providing athird chamher for positioning the second elements of a plurality of saidfilm units in stacked relation and apart from the first elements of saidplurality of said film units to permit the exposure of thephotosensitive area of each of said first elements, a passage in saidhousing adjacent said guide means and communicating with the exterior ofsaid housing and adapted to receive a plurality of said film units withthe first and second elements thereof disposed in stacked relation,means within said passage for separating the stack of said firstelements from the stack of said second elements during movement of saidfilm units through said passage into said housing and for guiding saidstacks into said second and third chambers, respectively, and meansassociated with said passage and located exteriorly of said housing forsuperposing the first and second elements of a film unit duringwithdrawal of said film unit through said passage and so distributingsaid processing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first andsecond elements as to effect the processing of the exposedphotosensitive area of said first element, the lastmentioned meanscomprising a pair of members mounted opposite said passage and so spacedapart as to provide a gap of predetermined width through which said filmunit is withdrawn from said apparatus.

14. In the apparatus of claim 13 wherein one of said pair of members ismounted for movement toward and away from the other member, manuallyoperable means associated with said members for varying the spacintherebetween so as to adjust the width of said gap'in accordance withthe number and thickness of said film units extending through said gapbetween said members.

15. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area, meanscontaining a processing liquid and a substantially rigid spreader platehaving formed therein a slot of predetermined width through which thefirst and second elements of said film unit project and through whichsaid film unit is advanced for superposing said second element with saidphotosensitive area and so spreading said processing liquid between saidfirst and second elements as to effect the processing of saidphotosensitive area, said camera comprising, in combination, a housingdefining a lighttight chamber, lens means associated with said housing,guide means within said chamber for positioning the first element of afilm unit substantially at the focal surface of" said lens for exposureto light transmitted by said lens, means within said housing providinganother chamber for positioning the second element of said film unitapart from said first element to permit the exposure of thephotosensitive area of said first element, a passage in said housingadjacent one end of said guide means and said other chamber andcommunicating with the exterior of said housing, said passage being soformed as to receive a film unit, means within said passage for guidingsaid first and second elements, respectively, into engagement with saidguide means and into said other chamher, and a pair of clamping membersmounted on said housing adjacent opposite sides of said passage, saidmounting members being so constructed as to releasably retain andsupport said spreader plate in closing relation to said passage with theslot in said plate aligned with the opening in said passage.

16. In a camera for use with a film unit including a first elementhaving a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed to actinic light, asecond element having an area superposable with said photosensitive areaand means containing a processing liquid, and including a passagethrough which said film unit may be inserted and removed from saidcamera and through which portions of said film unit project when thephotosensitive area of said film unit is in exposure position, incombustion, means associated with said passage for superposing the firstand second elements of said film unit and distributing said processingliquid in a layer of substantially uniform pre determined thicknessbetween said elements during withdrawal of said film unit from saidcamera following exposure therein, the last-mentioned means comprising apair of spreader elements mounted adjacent said passage on oppositesides thereof, said spreader elements having substantially parallelstraight sections between which said film unit is advanced, andresilient means for so urging said spreader elements toward one anotheras to cause said parallel straight sections to engage said film unit andefiect the distribution of said processing liquid between said first andsecond elements during movement of said film unit between said sectionsfrom said camera, one of said spreader elements having shoulders at theends of said straight sections so formed as to cooperate with portionsof said film unit for substantially automatically spacing said parallelstraight sections a predetermined distance apart in operative positionduring withdrawal of said film unit through said passage.

17. In the camera of claim 16, in combination, manually operable meansfor spacing said spreader elements apart from their operative positionto permit the insertion of a film unit into said passage and movement ofsaid film unit through said passage into exposure position.

18. In a camera for use with a film unit including a first elementhaving a photosentitive area adapted to be exposed in the camera, asecond element having an area superposable with said photosensitivearea, means containing a processing liquid and a substantially rigidspreader plate having formed therein a slot of predetermined widththrough which the first and second elements of said film unit projectand said film unit is advanced for superposing said second element withsaid first element and so spreading said processing liquid between saidfirst and second elements as to efiect the processing of saidphotosensitive area, and including a housing and a passage in saidhousing adapted to receive a film unit with the first and secondelements thereof in superposed relation and through which portions ofsaid film unit including the liquid-containing means of said unitproject exteriorly of said housing when said first element is inexposure position Within said housing, in combination, a pair ofclamping members mounted on said housing adjacent opposite sides of saidpassage, and resilient means for urging said clamping members intoposition to releasably retain and support the spreader plate of a filmunit with the slot in said spreader plate located substantially inalignment with said passage, said clamping members being so constructedas to cooperate with said spreader plate to provide a chamber exteriorof said passage within which a portion of a film unit extending throughsaid passage is positioned during exposure and the first and secondelements of said film unit are superposed during withdrawal from thecamera.

19. A camera for use with a film unit including a first element having aphotosensitive area adapted to be exposed in said camera, a secondelement having an area superposable with said photosensitive area andmeans containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, incombination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens meansassociated with said housing, a guide wall within said chamber forpositioning the first element of a film unit at the focal surface ofsaid lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, a first walldisposed in generally parallel relation to said guide wall and definingin conjunction therewith a second chamber in which said first element ispositioned during exposure, means within the first-mentioned chamberincluding a substantially fiat reflecting member so positioned obliquelyto the focal surface of said lens as to provide an optical path betweensaid lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positionedfor exposure, said housing including a second wall disposed in generallyparallel relation to said reflecting member and defining in conjunctiontherewith a third chamber disposed obliquely to said focal surface forpositioning said second element apart from said first element to permitthe exposure of the photosensitive area of said first element, a passagein said housing located at the juncture of said first and second wallsand communicating with said second and third chambers, said passagebeing so formed as to be capable of receiving said film unit with saidfirst and second elements thereof in superposed relation, means withinsaid passage for guiding said first and second elements into said secondand third chambers, respectively, and means associated with said passageexterior of said housing for superposing said first and second elementsand so distributing a processing liquid carried thereby between theouter surfaces of said elements as to efiect a predetermined processingof said photosensitive area during withdrawal of said film unit fromsaid camera through said passage.

20. A camera for use with a plurality of film units each including afirst element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed toactinic light, a second element having an area superposable with saidphotosensitive area and means containing a processing liquid, saidcamera comprising, in combination, a housing defining a ligh'ttightchamber, exposure means associated with said housing, guide means withinsaid housing for positioning the first element of each of a plurality offilm units for exposure to light transmitted by said exposure means,said guide means cooperating to provide a second chamber within saidhousing for positioning the first elements of a plurality of film unitsin stacked relation, means within said housing providing a third chamberfor positioning the second elements of a plurality of said film units instacked relation and apart from the first elements of said plurality ofsaid film units to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area ofeach of said first elements, a passage in said housing adjacent saidguide means and communicating with the exterior of said housing andadapted to receive a plurality of said film units with the first andsecond elements thereof disposed in stacked relation, means within saidpassage for guiding the stack of said first elements and the stack ofsaid second elements into said second and third chambers, respectively,means associated with said passage and located exteriorly of saidhousing for superposing the first and second elements of a film unitduring withdrawal of said film unit through said passage and sodistributing said processing liquid between the outer surfaces of saidfirst and second elements as toefiect the processing of the exposedphotosensitive area of said first element, and means cooperating withthe elements of said film units for permitting the withdrawal of asingle selected film unit at a time from the camera while retaining theremaining film units within said camera in exposure position.

21. In the camera of claim 20 wherein said means for superposing thefirst and second elements of a film unit and distributing saidprocessing liquid between the outer surfaces of said first and secondelements comprise a pair of opposed members between which said leadersextend and said film units are moved, manually operable means associatedwith said opposed members for predeterminedly varying the spacingbetween said members in accordance with the number and thickness of thefilm units extending therebetween.

22. A camera for use with a film uni-t including a first element havinga photosensitive area adapted to be ex posed in said camera, a secondelement having an area .superposable with said photosensitive area andmeans containing a processing liquid, said camera comprising, incombination, a housing defining a lighttight chamber, lens meansassociated with said housing, a guide wall within said chamber forpositioning the first element of a film unit at the focal surface ofsaid lens for exposure to light transmitted by said lens, a first outerwall disposed in generally parallel relation to said guide wall anddefining therebetween a second chamber in which said first element ispositioned for exposure, means within the first-mentioned chamberincluding a substantially flat reflecting member so positioned obliquelyto the focal surface of said lens as to provide an optical path betweensaid lens and the photosensitive area of said first element positionedfor exposure, the edge portion of said reflecting member being mountedin an end portion of said guide wall, said housing including a secondouter wall disposed in generally parallel relation to said reflectingmember and defining therebetween a third chamber disposed obliquely tosaid second chamber for positioning said second element apart from saidfirst element to permit the exposure of the photosensitive area of saidfirst element, a passage in said housing located at the juncture of saidfirst and second walls and communicating with said second and thirdchambers, said passage being so formed as to be capable of receivingsaid film unit with said first and second elements thereof in superposedrelation, said end portion of said guide wall being formed in the shapeof a wedge extending into said passage for separating said first andsecond elements during movement of said film unit through said passage,said end portion being so formed as to guide said first and secondelements into said second and third chambers, respectively, and meansassociated with said passage exterior of said housing for superposingthe first and second elements of a film unit during withdrawal of saidunit from the camera through said passage and so distributing aprocessing liquid between the outer surfaces of said elements as toeffect a predetermined of the exposed photosensitive area.

23. In a camera for use with a plurality of film units each comprising afirst element having a photosensitive area adapted to be exposed withinthe camera and a second element having an area superposable with saidphotosensitive area, in combination, means providing a first chamber forpositioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stackedrelation within the camera so that the photosensitive areas of saidfirst elements may be successively exposed, means providing a secondchamber for positioning the second elements of said film units instacked relation apart from said first elements during exposure of thelatter, a passage in said camera communicating with said first andsecond chambers, means for superposing the exposed first element of afilm unit with the second element of said film unit during withdrawal ofsaid unit from the camera through said passage, means for releasablyengaging and retaining the first and second processing elements of theremaining film units within the camera during withdrawal of said exposedfilm unit from said camera, the last-mentioned means comprising at leastone engagement member positioned at the end of each of said first andsecond chambers opposite said passage for engaging portions of theelements or" the film unitspositioned within said chambers, and meansmounting. said engagement members for movement into engagement withportions of selected elements.

24, In a camera including a housing and lens means associated with saidhousing, in combination, guide means for positioning the photosensitiveelement of a film unit for exposure substantially at the focal surfaceof said lens means, means including a reflecting member locatedobliquely to the focal surface of said lens for providing an opticalpath between said lens and said photosensitive element, means forpositioning another element of said lm unit superposable with saidphotosensitive element behind said' reflecting member during exposureofsaid photosensitive element, said elements being so positioned as tobe capable of being superposed during withdrawal of said film unit fromsaid camera, and means for superposing said elements during withdrawalfrom said camera following exposure and distributing a processing liquidcarried by said film unit between said elements.

25. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units eachincluding a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageableportion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with saidphotosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portionand means releasably containing a processing liquid for distributionbetween said elements, the portions of said first elements comprisingsaid photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and the portionsof said second elements comprising said areas superposable with saidphotosensitive areas being disposed in another stack,

said engageable portions of said units extending from said stacks so asto be separately engageable for withdrawing selected elements from saidstacks, said stacks being disposed in superposed relation, and anenvelope secured in surrounding relation to at least a portion of saidstacks for holding the latter in superposed relation to prevent theexposure of said photosensitive areas and permitting the positioningapart of said stacks for exposure in a photographic apparatus, saidelements of said film units being secured to one another and to saidenvelope by an adhesive material which is rendered nonadhesive bycontact with said processing liquid, said stacks being so arranged withrespect to one another that the first and second elements of each filmunit can be superposed and withdrawn from said apparatus between theengageable portions of the remaining film units, said adhesive materialbeing so located that the processing liquid can contact only theadhesive material securing the innermost element in each of said stacks.

26. In a photographic apparatus for use with a plurality of film unitseach comprising a first element including a leader and a photosensitiveportion adapted to be exposed within the camera and a second elementincluding a leader and a portion superposable with said photosensitiveportion, in combination, a housing including a passage through whichsaid film units may be introduced into and withdrawn from saidapparatus, pressureapplying means associated with said passage means forpositioning the first elements of a plurality of film units in stackedrelation within said housing with said photosensitive portions inposition to be sequentially exposed and said leaders extending insuperposition "through said passage and said pressure-applying means,and means for positioning said second elements of said film units instacked relation apart from said first elements with said leaders ofsaid second elements extending in superposition through said passage andsaid pressure-applying means, the first and second elements of each filmunit be ing movable, following exposure of said film unit, in

2? superposed relation from said housing between said leaders of theremaining film units, said pressure-applying means comprising a pair ofmembers associated with said passage for engaging said leaders andapplying compressive pressure through said leaders to the first andsecond elements of an exposed film unit for spreading a liquid betweensaid elements during withdrawal of said exposed film unit from saidhousing between the leaders comprising successive film units.

27. In the apparatus of claim 26 wherein said means for applyingcompressive pressure through said leaders to the first and secondelements of an exposed film unit comprise a pair of opposed membersbetween which said leaders extend and said film units are moved,manually operable means associated with said opposed members forpredeterminedly varying the spacing between said members in accordancewith the number and thickness of leaders extending therebetween.

28. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units eachincluding a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageableportion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with saidphotosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portionsubstantially equal in length to said engageable portion of said firstelement, and means releasably containing a processing liquid fordistribution between said elements, the portions of said first elementscomprising said photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and theportions of said second elements comprising said areas superposable withsaid photosensitive areas being disposed in another stack, thephotosensitice and second elements of a first film unit being disposedadjacent one another with the elements of successive film units beingdisposed outwardly therefrom, said engageable portions of said filmunits extending from said stacks in superposition so as to be separatelyengageable for withdrawing selected elements from said stacks, saidengageable portions of said first film unit being longer than engageableportions of the successive film units, said engageable portions of eachof said successive film units being substantially shorter than those ofthe preceding film unit, said stacks being, so arranged with respect toone another that the first and second elements of said first film unitand of each successive film unit can be superposed and withdrawn betweenthe engageable portions of the remaining film units.

29. A photographic product comprising a plurality of film units eachincluding a first element having a photosensitive area and an engageableportion, a second element having an area at least coextensive with saidphotosensitive area and superposable therewith and an engageable portionsubstantially equal in length to said engageable portion of said firstelement and means releasably containing a processing liquid fordistribution between said elements, the portions of said first elementscomprising said photosensitive areas being disposed in one stack and theportions of said second elements comprising said areas superposable withsaid photosensitive areas being disposed in a second stack, saidengageable portions of said film units extending in superposition fromsaid stacks, and said engageable portions of a first film unit beinglonger and extending further than the engageable portions of the otherfilm units, the engageable portions of each successive film unit beingshorter than those of the preceding film unit whereby the engageableportions of said first and each successive film unit may be grasped forWithdrawing said film units, one at a time, from said stacks between theengageable portions of successive film units, and means for holding saidstacks in superposed relation so as to prevent exposure of saidphotosensitive areas and permit the positioning apart of said stacks forexposure in a camera, said stacks being arranged with the first andsecond elements of said first film unit in superposed relation and thefirst and second elements of successive film units arranged outwardlytherefrom so that the first and second elements of each successive filmunit can be superposed and withdrawn between the engageable portions ofthe remaining film units.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS660,442 Ives Oct. 23, 1900 2,435,720 Land Feb. 10, 1948 2,724,310 PaineNov. 22, 1955

